Kentucky's Nerlens Noel (3) is tied up by LSU's Shane Hammink during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game at Rupp Arena in Lexington, Ky., Saturday, Jan. 26, 2013. (AP Photo/James Crisp)
(The Associated Press)

Kentucky's Ryan Harrow, top, looks for a shot over LSU's Johnny O'Bryant III (2) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game at Rupp Arena in Lexington, Ky., Saturday, Jan. 26, 2013. (AP Photo/James Crisp)
(The Associated Press)

Kentucky's Archie Goodwin (10) shoots under pressure from LSU's Shane Hammink during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game at Rupp Arena in Lexington, Ky., Saturday, Jan. 26, 2013. (AP Photo/James Crisp)
(The Associated Press)

The Wildcats led by as many as 15 points before halftime and were up 69-63 with 1:57 remaining before LSU rallied to within 71-70 on Johnny O'Bryant III's follow with 3.9 seconds left. Kyle Wiltjer made two free throws to put Kentucky up by three and Poythress clinched it with two more after rebounding Anthony Hickey's missed front end of a one-an-one.

Kentucky shot 52 percent (27 of 52) and outrebounded LSU 39-26.

O'Bryant had 21 points for the Tigers (10-7, 1-5), who lost to the Wildcats for the fifth straight time.